Women's Volleyball
Lauren Otto Rao
- Title:
- Director of Operations
- Email:
- l.o.rao@tcu.edu
- Phone:
- 817-257-4183
Lauren Rao, formerly Lauren Otto, returned to her alma mater as the Director of Operations for TCU volleyball in April of 2022.
A four-year letter winner for the Horned Frogs from 2006-2009, Rao streamlines the day-to-day operations of the program. In her role, Rao works diligently alongside head coach Jason Williams to construct the Horned Frogs’ non-conference and spring schedules, including TCU’s annual Fight in the Fort and Horned Frog Invitational tournaments. Rao also coordinates team travel, oversees the program budget, helps facilitate the Jason Williams Volleyball Camps and serves as the program’s compliance liaison.
One of the great players in TCU volleyball history, Rao helped the Horned Frogs earn their first-ever NCAA Tournament berth in 2009. Her name is entrenched on TCU’s individual career records lists, as she presently ranks fourth in double-doubles (37), sixth in kills (1,126) and 10th in digs (1,115).
Rao is no stranger to the TCU coaching staff, having served as an assistant coach during the 2013 and 2014 seasons, helping the Horned Frogs to winning seasons in both of her years on the bench.
In addition to her TCU tenures, Rao has established herself as one of the top coaches in the club and high school ranks. Rao is an assistant coach for the No. 1 juniors club team in the country, Texas Advantage Volleyball (TAV). Her 18’s team won a National Championship in 2019. and her 16’s team claimed the crown the following season in 2021. Rao’s teams have medaled at the Girls Junior National Championships for five consecutive seasons.
She spent four years as the head coach of Keller High School from 2018-2022, where she led her team to playoff appearances each year. In 2022, Keller went undefeated to be crowned District 4-6A Champions, going as far as the State Championship match, before falling to Brandeis in a 5-set thriller.
The 2022 season saw Rao named All Area Co-Coach of the year by the Fort Worth Star-Telegram and was a member of the District 4-6A Staff of the Year. Several of her players received regional recognition for their achievements, including Melanie McGann, who was named Star-Telegram player of the year, Dallas Morning News Player of the Year, Vype DFW Hitter of the Year, TGCA All-State, and District MVP. Leah Ford was also named to the TGCA All-State team, as well as the All-Area team for both the Star-Telegram and Dallas Morning News alongside setter Taylor Polivka.
Prior to Keller, Rao led the South Grand Prairie Warriors to back-to-back district and
bi-district championships. Rao also had stints at Arlington Bowie, Arlington Seguin, & Burleson Centennial.
In 2018, she surpassed 100 career coaching wins. She was named District Coach of the Year in 2016 and 2017 and is an AVCA Thirty Under 30 award winner.
Rao was inducted into the Arlington High School Hall of Fame in 2015.
She graduated from TCU with her degree in Communication Studies and a minor in Secondary Education. Rao obtained her master’s degree in educational administration in 2020 from Lamar University.
Rao and her husband, Mike, have a two-year-old daughter, Reese, and recently gave birth to their second daughter, Remy.
A four-year letter winner for the Horned Frogs from 2006-2009, Rao streamlines the day-to-day operations of the program. In her role, Rao works diligently alongside head coach Jason Williams to construct the Horned Frogs’ non-conference and spring schedules, including TCU’s annual Fight in the Fort and Horned Frog Invitational tournaments. Rao also coordinates team travel, oversees the program budget, helps facilitate the Jason Williams Volleyball Camps and serves as the program’s compliance liaison.
One of the great players in TCU volleyball history, Rao helped the Horned Frogs earn their first-ever NCAA Tournament berth in 2009. Her name is entrenched on TCU’s individual career records lists, as she presently ranks fourth in double-doubles (37), sixth in kills (1,126) and 10th in digs (1,115).
Rao is no stranger to the TCU coaching staff, having served as an assistant coach during the 2013 and 2014 seasons, helping the Horned Frogs to winning seasons in both of her years on the bench.
In addition to her TCU tenures, Rao has established herself as one of the top coaches in the club and high school ranks. Rao is an assistant coach for the No. 1 juniors club team in the country, Texas Advantage Volleyball (TAV). Her 18’s team won a National Championship in 2019. and her 16’s team claimed the crown the following season in 2021. Rao’s teams have medaled at the Girls Junior National Championships for five consecutive seasons.
She spent four years as the head coach of Keller High School from 2018-2022, where she led her team to playoff appearances each year. In 2022, Keller went undefeated to be crowned District 4-6A Champions, going as far as the State Championship match, before falling to Brandeis in a 5-set thriller.
The 2022 season saw Rao named All Area Co-Coach of the year by the Fort Worth Star-Telegram and was a member of the District 4-6A Staff of the Year. Several of her players received regional recognition for their achievements, including Melanie McGann, who was named Star-Telegram player of the year, Dallas Morning News Player of the Year, Vype DFW Hitter of the Year, TGCA All-State, and District MVP. Leah Ford was also named to the TGCA All-State team, as well as the All-Area team for both the Star-Telegram and Dallas Morning News alongside setter Taylor Polivka.
Prior to Keller, Rao led the South Grand Prairie Warriors to back-to-back district and
bi-district championships. Rao also had stints at Arlington Bowie, Arlington Seguin, & Burleson Centennial.
In 2018, she surpassed 100 career coaching wins. She was named District Coach of the Year in 2016 and 2017 and is an AVCA Thirty Under 30 award winner.
Rao was inducted into the Arlington High School Hall of Fame in 2015.
She graduated from TCU with her degree in Communication Studies and a minor in Secondary Education. Rao obtained her master’s degree in educational administration in 2020 from Lamar University.
Rao and her husband, Mike, have a two-year-old daughter, Reese, and recently gave birth to their second daughter, Remy.
TCU Volleyball | Big 10/Big 12 Challenge Win Over No. 18 Minnesota
Tuesday, September 10
Taylor Raiola talking about her time with TCU Volleyball
Thursday, June 20
TCU Volleyball NCAA Tournament Hype - It's Time to Show the World
Thursday, May 09
Frog Time - Episode 1 feat. Bri Green
Thursday, May 09
